CNS drugs: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · CNS drugs

Sample item

Why must levodopa be combined with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Increase brain delivery and reduce peripheral adverse effects

Peripheral decarboxylase inhibition reduces conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside the brain, improving central delivery and reducing nausea and hypotension.

Option by option

  • A. Prevent renal excretion completely

    Renal excretion is not completely prevented.

  • B. Block dopamine receptors in brain

    Dopamine receptors are stimulated rather than blocked.

  • C. Cause immediate cure of Parkinson disease

    Treatment improves symptoms but is not curative.

  • D. Increase brain delivery and reduce peripheral adverse effects (correct)

    Correct: more levodopa reaches the central nervous system.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is D, Increase brain delivery and reduce peripheral adverse effects. Peripheral decarboxylase inhibition reduces conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside the brain, improving central delivery and reducing nausea and hypotension.

Why is "Prevent renal excretion completely" not the answer?

Renal excretion is not completely prevented.

Why is "Block dopamine receptors in brain" not the answer?

Dopamine receptors are stimulated rather than blocked.

Why is "Cause immediate cure of Parkinson disease" not the answer?

Treatment improves symptoms but is not curative.

What concept does this question test?

It tests CNS drugs in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: more levodopa reaches the central nervous system.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study CNS drugs?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.